Syrian Arab Republic Unrest Regional Situation Report # 3 Date: 30 August 2012

Transcription

1 n Arab Republic Unrest Regional Situation Report # 3 Date: 30 August 2012 a WHO is finalizing a desk-top review and situation analysis to measure available health capacities inside and outside the refugee camps in Highlights WHO has consolidated the requirements for essential medicines in for the next 6 months. WHO met with the directors and staff of the Directorate of Primary Health Care (PHC) and Directorate of Communicable Diseases to activate the early warning system in s 14 governorates. More than refugees fleeing the conflict in the n Arab Republic have been registered in the neighbouring countries of Turkey,, Lebanon and Iraq.

2 Health situation 2.5 million people are estimated to be in need of humanitarian assistance inside, including more than 1.2 million internally displaced persons. No significant increase in cases of acute watery diarrhea has been reported. Essential drugs stocks within health facilities are low, especially lifesaving medicines and noncommunicable disease medicines, and there is a reported shortage of anesthesia medicines. The health working group has identified a need for the training of health professionals in the country on nutrition in emergencies, management of war wounded and trauma management, psycho-social first aid and the management of chemical warfare injured. The current unrest has created challenges in implementing the national immunization programme. The shipment of vaccines from storage in Damascus to the governorates has been complicated due to blocked roads and security issues, and there are difficulties in maintaining the cold chain, which is resulting in destroyed vaccines. In affected areas where access is limited, coverage is difficult to determine, while in overpopulated areas hosting displaced ns, there are increased requests for vaccines. It is anticipated that the national vaccination coverage for the first quarter of 2012 dropped from 95% to 80%. The total number of n refugees registered and awaiting registration in (including those in Zaatri) is more than An average of 200 cases per day are being seen in the Health Aid Society (JHAS) clinic in Zataari camp in addition to 20 reproductive health cases. The Moroccan field hospital at Zataari camp witnessed the delivery of the first baby in the camp. Lebanon Around new displaced ns have registered with UHNCR over the past week making the total currently displaced ns registered at UNHCR and receiving protection and assistance in Lebanon through the efforts of the Government of Lebanon and UN and NGO partners, Shelter and housing issues are of growing concern given the increasing numbers of displaced ns in Lebanon.

3 Security instability in certain parts of the North and Beqaa have slowed down the health response activities; two planned field missions have been postponed. Hospital coverage for life threatening and injured cases has been resumed by the Lebanese Higher Relief Commission (HRC), and complemented by the Qatari Red Crescent and other donors. 32 critical cases from the registered displaced n community and two war injured cases were admitted to hospitals in the North over the past week. No outbreaks of communicable diseases have been reported so far amongst refugees. Access to Primary Health Care (PHC) continues, through 3 IMC supported PHC centers in the North and 3 in the Beqaa, in addition to the PHC centers supported by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) network. Shortages in medicines for catastrophic illnesses such as cancer are being reported. Iraq A total number of n refugees are registered across Iraq, and an additional are awaiting registration. More than returnees have been recorded, including persons who have returned by air. Most of those returning are heading to Baghdad, according to UNHCR. Health response WHO met with immunization programme managers at the Ministry of Health (MoH) to discuss possible support by WHO in the delivery of vaccinations in affected areas. Together with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Higher Education and partners, WHO has consolidated the requirements and costs of essential medicines for the next 6 months. WHO met with the directors and staff of the Directorate of Primary Health Care (DoPH) and Directorate of Communicable Diseases (DoCD) to activate the early warning system in s 14 governorates. The meeting focused on the implementation plan for establishing an Early Warning System (EWARN) for communicable diseases surveillance with a special focus on the early detection of epidemic outbreaks in. A joint WHO/MoH Task force group was established to finalize these plans based on outlines drafted by WHO. WHO is planning a 3-day workshop on epidemiological surveillance and response from September, The training will be conducted in Damascus and will include 28 participants from all 14 governorates.

4 In response to the escalating situation in and the influx of n refugees into the ian northern lands (Mafraq and Irbid provinces), a desk-top review and situation analysis were conducted by WHO to measure the available health capacities inside and outside the refugees camps in terms of mapping of the health facilities and hospitals, inpatient capacity, Referral capacity, human resources, and available services and essential medicines, as well as who is doing what where inside the camp/ transit sites. The source of data is mainly the ian Ministry of Health and heath partners on the ground. WHO is working with UNHCR and other partners to finalize the Health Information Systems and Disease Early Warning forms. Lebanon The distribution of the second batch of stockpiled medications to the Primary Health Care (PHC) centers overloaded by the influx of displaced ns, namely in the areas of Akkkar and Beqaa is in the pipeline. The nutrition survey is planned for the last week of August, first two weeks of September, in collaboration with World Food Programme (WFP), UNICEF, UNHCR and Action Contre la Faim (ACF). WHO is coordinating the survey Task Force. Preparations for the vaccination support activities with outreach to displaced ns and host communities are on-going. Vaccination activities are due to start by mid-september Iraq No new information received since last situation report. Coordination The biweekly health working group met on 28 August to discuss current activities and gaps, as well as upcoming training activities and medical needs for the country. A national health coordination committee on the n refugee response operation was established by the Prime Ministry under the leadership of the Ministry of Health and the membership of UNHCR,

5 WHO, ian Hashemite Charity Organization (JHCO) and Health Aid Society (JHAS). WHO co-chairs the interagency health sector coordination group with international and national partners, including the health coordination meetings in Amman, Ramtha and Mafraq. WHO co-chairs the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) group with International Medical Corps (IMC) and is a member of the Reproductive Health Sub-working group. WHO is supporting the Ministry of Health to lead the health sector coordination in Zaatari. Lebanon One field health coordination meetings took place (one in Beqaa and one in Akkar) One meeting with the health working group (chaired by WHO) was organized at the WHO country office. Iraq No new information received since last situation report. Donors and funding The Government of Norway has increased its contribution to NOK 10 million (approximately US$ 1.68 million) for health interventions by WHO in the n Arab Republic. The Government of India has pledged US$ 2 million in medicines and medical supplies to support the n Arab Republic health sector. In a meeting with donors at Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation (MoPIC), a joint appeal between the Government of and UN agencies was shared. The Irish Minister of State for Trade and Development announced a contribution of Euros to support the refugee response, as well as making available Euro for in-kind assistance from Irish Aid stocks in Dubai. The Minister also announced that additional support will be provided to other agencies in the region working with displaced ns. The Government of Saudi Arabia has committed to developing a complete module in Zaatri camp, which will include a medical clinic.

6 For more information, contact: WHO n Arab Republic Country Office Elizabeth Hoff, acting WHO representative wrosyria@syr.emro.who.int WHO Country Office Dr Akram El Tom, WHO representative wrjor@jor.emro.who.int WHO Lebanon Country Office Dr Hassan El Bushra, WHO representative wroleb@leb.emro.who.int WHO Iraq Country Office Dr Syed Jaffar Hussein, WHO representative wriraq@irq.emro.who.int WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean shoc@emro.who.int Telephone: